Chris Horner annouces a few day ago a schedule much the same as last year.

Schedule looks like Tirreno, Catalunya, Pais Vasco and then back for @AmgenTourofCali in May. Looking forward to getting the season started!

Althought he's mention nothing about the Ardennes Classics. (He rode them all last year still sick from mid Pias Vasco) I think he would prefer to do just Amstel alone and then return the Cali. The Cali organization there must have been listening to whiners like me and has improved itself with three uphill finishes!

The Cali should really be his ultimate goal I would think, but he will always contest a race given the chance. Maybe limiting his expectation would be wiser because the Cali could be a win for him in a likely last season despite what he is saying.

His name has not been mentioned as a favourite at TA and even with a similar Cancellera led squad (prepping for MSR) this year's field has more depth, still a top is 10 ten is likely if he's the protected rider. And Pais Vasco? The oldster can do well if he remains healthy, but the Cali is his only likely possible win.

BillytheKid wrote:Chris Horner annouces a few day ago a schedule much the same as last year.

Schedule looks like Tirreno, Catalunya, Pais Vasco and then back for @AmgenTourofCali in May. Looking forward to getting the season started!

Althought he's mention nothing about the Ardennes Classics. (He rode them all last year still sick from mid Pias Vasco) I think he would prefer to do just Amstel alone and then return the Cali. The Cali organization there must have been listening to whiners like me and has improved itself with three uphill finishes!

The Cali should really be his ultimate goal I would think, but he will always contest a race given the chance. Maybe limiting his expectation would be wiser because the Cali could be a win for him in a likely last season despite what he is saying.

His name has not been mentioned as a favourite at TA and even with a similar Cancellera led squad (prepping for MSR) this year's field has more depth, still a top is 10 ten is likely if he's the protected rider. And Pais Vasco? The oldster can do well if he remains healthy, but the Cali is his only likely possible win.

Another grand tour? Maybe.

He should ride the Vuelta because of all the uphill finishes. If RSLT was smart they would send Andy and Frank there, plus Horner, and they could probably win the overal. I have doubts that Andy will be ready to compete for the win at the Tour so he should do the Vuelta with his brother and Horner, and RSLT would have 3 really strong guys to choose as a leader once they hit the mountains.

Unkown wrote:He should ride the Vuelta because of all the uphill finishes. If RSLT was smart they would send Andy and Frank there, plus Horner, and they could probably win the overal. I have doubts that Andy will be ready to compete for the win at the Tour so he should do the Vuelta with his brother and Horner, and RSLT would have 3 really strong guys to choose as a leader once they hit the mountains.

I have doubts they can ever race cohesively as a winning Grand Tour Team, but I have always said Horner could do well as a stage hunter in the Vuelta, buth RSLT seem to be overall team title go-getters..which is not exactly stellar. His age is becoming a factor despite what he says. I think he can still ride well and this Cali has many of the same elements that allowed him to win the race in 2011. The opening stages are on his home roads. That will be his focus short term I am almost certain.

BillytheKid wrote:I have doubts they can ever race cohesively as a winning Grand Tour Team, but I have always said Horner could do well as a stage hunter in the Vuelta, buth RSLT seem to be overall team title go-getters..which is not exactly stellar. His age is becoming a factor despite what he says. I think he can still ride well and this Cali has many of the same elements that allowed him to win the race in 2011. The opening stages are on his home roads. That will be his focus short term I am almost certain.

Yes, Cali should be his biggest goal of the season, and I am sure it is in his mind too. I wonder if he has big ambitions for the Tour, sure he would love to go if he could. Hard for me to se RSLT taking him though will all the young talent they have coming up.

Unkown wrote:Yes, Cali should be his biggest goal of the season, and I am sure it is in his mind too. I wonder if he has big ambitions for the Tour, sure he would love to go if he could. Hard for me to se RSLT taking him though will all the young talent they have coming up.

Spot on.

Also, the Vuelta is out of the limelight, which is better in the current climate in the US, but I wonder if he knows that.